Andirons



k- FYI-4 Oct. 2, 1956 J. L. HOSTETTER 2,764,971

AN'DIRONS Filed Jan. 15. 1954 I INVENTOR.

.JOHN HOSH'TTER United States Patent ANDlRONS John L. Hostetter, Tucson, Ariz. Application January 15, 1954, Serial No. 404,272

4 Claims. (Cl. 126-493) This invention relates to improvements in andirons for fireplaces and the principal object of the present invention is to provide such a device which can be actuated to provide a ramp whereby logs can be rolled upwardly and on to the supporting structure in an easy and convenient manner.

Another important object of the invention is to provide andirons which have pivotal front post portions, which can be caused to swing outwardly and downwardly to provide ramps and which are also provided with projections which act as braces when the posts are in upright position and as log stops when the posts are in lowered position.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a simple construction which has the advantages stated, without causing an increase in the cost of manufacture, over devices of this character now generally used.

These and various other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to the reader of the following description.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the assembly.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view showing the posts in elevated position.

Figure 3 is a side elevational view with the posts in lowered ramp forming position.

Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a top plan view of the structure shown in Figure 3.

Referring to the drawings wherein like numerals designate like parts, it can be seen that the andiron structure consists of a pair of horizontal bars 10, having down turned leg portions 11, 11 at the rear ends thereof, these leg portions being flanged outwardly at their free ends to provide feet 12. These feet may be formed with openings 13 through which pins or other elements can be disposed to anchor the assembly on a fireplace floor.

Vertical posts 14, 14 are provided with forwardly projecting curved elbows 15, 15, each of which at its forward end is provided with a roller 16.

The forward ends of the bars 10, 10 are apertured to receive a horizontal cross rod 17 which at its ends also extends through openings in the posts 14, 14 just above the elbows 15, 15. Thus the posts 14, 14 are swingable on the ends of the rod 17.

Brace blocks 18, 18 project inwardly and downwardly from medial portions of the posts 14, 14 and have their outer ends straight edged and at right angles to a corresponding post 14. These blocks 18, 18 are welded or otherwise secured to the inner faces of the posts 14, 14 as shown in Figure 1.

When it is desired to place logs on the bars 10, 10, the posts 14, 14 are pulled forwardly as the rollers 16, 16 move inwardly under the bars 10, 10 as shown in Figure 3. In this position of the posts 14, 14, the posts serve as a ramp so that logs can be rolled up the same and onto the bars 10, 10. The upstanding portions of the blocks 18, when the posts 14 are lowered will serve as stops to prevent logs from rolling off of the bars 10, 10. After sufiicient logs have been placed on the bars 10, the posts 14, 14 are again returned to the positions shown in Figures 1 and 2.

While the foregoing description sets forth the invention in specific terms, it is to be understood that numerous changes in the shape, size and materials may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed hereinafter.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. Fireplace andirons comprising a pair of spaced horizontal bars provided with depending foot portions at the rear ends thereof, normallyvertical posts, a connecting member between the bars and on which the posts are swingable, the lower ends of the posts being provided with foot portions, which when disposed under the bars will support the posts in inclined ramp forming position.

2. Fireplace andirons comprising a pair of spaced horizontal bars provided with depending foot portions at the rear ends thereof, normally vertical posts, a connecting member between the bars and on which the posts are swingable, the lower ends of the posts being provided with foot portions, which when disposed under the bars will support the posts in inclined ramp forming position, said outwardly disposed portions being in the form of elbows and provided with rollers.

3. Fireplace andirons comprising a pair of spaced horizontal bars provided with depending foot portions at the rear ends thereof, normally vertical posts, a connecting member between the bars and on which the posts are swingable, the lower ends of the posts being provided with foot portions, which when disposed under the bars will support the posts in inclined ramp forming position, and stop members carried by the posts and adapted to abut the top portions of the bars to prevent inward movement of the upper portions of the posts.

4. Fireplace andirons comprising a pair of spaced horizontal bars provided with depending foot portions at the rear ends thereof, normally vertical posts, a connecting member between the bars and on which the posts are swingable, the lower ends of the posts being provided with foot portions, which when disposed under the bars will support the posts in inclined ramp forming position, and stop members carried by the posts and adapted to abut the top portions of the bars to prevent inward movement of the upper portions of the posts, said stop members having portions projecting beyond the rear portions of the posts to provide log stops when the posts are swung forwardly and downwardly to provide log rolling ramps.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,360,799 Slingsby Oct. 17, 1944 

